IBAM EP 94: Biblical Business Principles Every CEO Should Follow, Part 1

“Always go a little further.”

Ken Gosnell | Founder and CEO of CXP

Discover how the teachings of Jesus shape business decisions, leadership clarity, and purpose-driven success.

What if your business wasn’t just about growth… but about eternal impact?

In today’s world, it’s easy to separate business from faith. But this episode challenges that idea at its core. It reveals that business can—and should—reflect the Kingdom of God through the way leaders think, act, and make decisions.

These aren’t abstract ideas. They are biblical business principles rooted in the teachings of Jesus and seen throughout Scripture—principles that apply to every part of life, not just business.

And according to the episode, they all point toward one ultimate goal: To live and lead in a way that allows you to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Why Biblical Principles Matter in Business

Business is not separate from your spiritual life.

In fact, these principles are described as tools that help leaders:

  • Make better decisions

  • Grow their business

  • Strengthen their personal relationship with Jesus

  • Align their work with God’s Kingdom

They are not just helpful—they are foundational.

As shared in the episode:

  • Business is hard

  • Life is short

  • Eternity is long

Which means how you lead—and why you lead—matters deeply.



The 3 Foundations of Biblical Business Principles

The episode organizes these principles into three key categories based on the life and teachings of Jesus:

1. The Proclamations of Jesus

These are the direct statements Jesus made that guide behavior and decision-making.

Example:

  • “If anyone forces you to go one mile, go two.”

This isn’t just about customer service—it’s about how you approach everything in life and business.

2. The Parables of Jesus

These are stories that reveal deeper truths about leadership, stewardship, and responsibility.

Example:

  • The parable of the talents, where individuals are entrusted with resources and expected to steward them well.

3. The Practices of Jesus

These are the patterns and habits Jesus demonstrated.

Example:

  • Understanding order—knowing what comes first, second, and third

  • Staying aligned with that order in life and leadership

These three categories shape how leaders:

  • Think

  • Act

  • Make decisions

  • Build businesses

5 Biblical Business Principles Every Leader Should Apply

Let’s walk through five of the core principles shared in the episode.

1. Always Take the Second Step

This principle comes from Jesus’ teaching:

If someone forces you to go one mile, go two.

What It Means

Many leaders treat this as a customer service idea—but that’s too narrow.

It’s actually a way of life.

It applies to:

  • Leadership

  • Finances

  • Operations

  • Employee relationships

A Key Insight

There are five powerful words that capture this principle:

“Always go a little further.”

Why It Matters

The episode highlights that:

  • Successful companies practice this consistently

  • It creates a competitive edge

  • It separates excellent businesses from average ones

A Deeper Truth

No matter the situation:

  • There is always another step to take

  • That step often requires faith

Like the example of Moses:

  • Facing the Red Sea

  • Unable to move forward or backward

  • God told him to take one step

And only after that step… the path was revealed.

2. The Golden Rule Works (If You Work It)

Jesus taught:

Do to others what you would have them do to you.

What It Means

This principle used to be widely understood—but today, many have forgotten it.

Yet it remains essential.

In Business, This Looks Like:

  • Putting people first

  • Making decisions that benefit customers

  • Building relationships, not just transactions

A Critical Reminder

The episode makes this clear:

Businesses that focus only on the bottom line are short-sighted.

A Better Question to Ask

Instead of:

  • “Is this profitable?”

Ask:

  • “Is this good for the customer?”

Why This Works

When people feel:

  • Cared for

  • Heard

  • Valued

They build stronger relationships with the business—and that leads to long-term success.

3. Grow Profit with Purpose

Jesus asked:

What good is it to gain the world and lose your soul?

What It Means

Profit is necessary—but it’s not enough.

Key Distinction

  • Profit alone → can feel empty

  • Profit with purpose → creates lasting impact

Important Insight

Even successful companies:

  • Aren’t always profitable

  • But can always be purposeful

A Powerful Idea

The episode introduces the concept of:

“No margin, mission.”

Meaning:

  • You don’t need profit to have impact

  • Purpose can exist even in difficult seasons

Why Purpose Matters

When businesses operate with purpose:

  • They stand out

  • They create legacy

  • They become a channel for Kingdom impact

4. Know Your Yeses and No’s

Jesus taught:

Let your yes be yes, and your no be no.

What It Means

Clarity is one of the most important leadership traits.

Why It Matters

When leaders are clear:

  • Teams become clear

  • Decisions become focused

  • Trust increases

A Leadership Reality

Growth without clarity creates problems.

The episode highlights the importance of:

  • Growing at the right pace

  • Making decisions carefully

  • Avoiding overextension

A Key Insight

Anyone can start something.

But:

Sustaining it is what makes the difference.

5. Move from Owner to Overseer

This principle comes from the parable of the talents.

What It Means

You don’t truly “own” your business.

You are:

  • A steward

  • An overseer

  • Responsible for what you’ve been given

Why This Shift Matters

The way you lead changes depending on how you see your role.

  • Owner mindset → control

  • Steward mindset → responsibility and accountability

A Key Practice

Leaders should:

  • Measure performance

  • Ask for accountability

  • Evaluate how resources are used

A Deeper Perspective

When you shift from owner to overseer:

  • You invite God into your business decisions

  • You align your work with a higher purpose

  • You lead with greater intention

The Bigger Mission Behind Business

This episode reminds us:

Business is not just about:

  • Growth

  • Revenue

  • Success

It’s about:

  • Impact

  • Stewardship

  • Transformation

Through the Three Fish Model, the mission becomes clear:

  1. Give a fish — provide startup loans

  2. Teach to fish — offer business training

  3. Equip for discipleship — multiply spiritual impact

This model shows that business can:

  • Break cycles of poverty

  • Create sustainable livelihoods

  • Advance the Great Commission

Final Thought: The Real Goal of Leadership

At the end of the day, the goal isn’t just to build something successful.

It’s to build something that matters.

Something aligned with:

  • God’s purpose

  • God’s principles

  • God’s Kingdom

Because success is not just measured in results…

But in whether you hear:

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”



Watch full episode on YT - https://youtu.be/Ah0XgHAGo_Y

Listen to full episode on itunes/spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/23OaYpkcUds7IqNJHgSyJF?si=tuzUFfdHRaqUXPXIiWqgmg

Join the free Third Fish Academy at ThirdFish.org 




Transcript Evidence

  • Biblical business principles help leaders make better decisions and align with God’s Kingdom

  • Principles drawn from proclamations, parables, and practices of Jesus

  • “Go the second mile” applies to all areas of life and business

  • Golden Rule: treating others well leads to long-term business success

  • Profit should be paired with purpose, not pursued alone

  • Clear yes and no decisions create strong leadership and trust

  • Leaders should shift from ownership to stewardship

  • Business can create global impact through the Three Fish Model

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